Web Development Defined: Before we define Web development, it is important to first understand how a Web site is created and how it’s role affects the efforts of Internet marketing as a whole. First, a URL or name for a Web site must be purchased. Second, the site needs to be hosted on a server (Web space), kind of like a virtual parking lot for your Web sites information and files. Lastly, there needs to be some theme or image that is uploaded to your Web host for visitors to see when they visit your site.

To create a Web site, a graphic designer or Web developer needs to create a design and theme for the Web site and place content throughout the design and theme. What makes a Web site unique is both the quality of its appearance and the relevance/usefulness of the content that is published. Unless a Web site is strictly a portfolio for multimedia projects, for it to be competitive, it should have quality design and relevant/ useful content.

The job of a Web developer is to first design a Web site that portrays your product or service in a way that is pleasing to the eye and is relevant tells a story about the product or service that you are offering. This will increase the value of the Web site and give any future Internet marketing efforts a boost. Having good graphics and content will increase the consumer value of your brand because of the viewer experience; once you ketch their attention with the appropriate graphics and introductory content, they will want to read more, come back and refer your Web site to friends.

Example / Process: You own a sports apparel company in Los Angeles and are interested in building a Web site to showcase your company, products, their descriptions, prices and directions to your store. First, we will come up with a design scheme, incorporating your brand logo, colors and general theme and layout for the various pages of the Web site. Second, we will create a site map or index of the pages of your Web site based on the structure and content that you want the Web site to have. Lastly we enter the content, images and media for your Web site.